If you are a beginner skateboarder then it’s important to learn these tips to maintain your skateboard. If not taken care of properly, the wood can break down and cause problems with balance.
The most common reasons for this problem include: riding the board on rough surfaces, neglecting to maintain the bearings in a timely manner, and not giving it time to dry out after getting wet.
In this article, we will discuss how you can maintain your Skateboard so that it lasts longer!
10 Tips to Maintain your Skateboard
1. Maintain Bearings and Wheels
If you do not maintain your bearings and wheels, they will eventually wear down. This can cause the skateboard to wobble or even break while you are riding it. To maintain your bearings and wheels, make sure to clean them with a solvent on a regular basis (at least every two weeks). You should also apply lubricant to the bearings every month or so.
2. Keep Board Clean
The board itself needs to be kept clean in order for you to maintain a good balance on it. If dirt, dust, or leaves get stuck on the board, it can throw you off balance and make it difficult to ride. In order to keep the board clean, use a damp cloth to wipe it down after each use. Be sure not to saturate the board, as this can cause damage to it.
3. Keep your Skateboard Dry
Let the board sit out for at least thirty minutes after use before putting it away. Doing so will ensure that water does not get stuck in cracks or crevices of the deck or wheels. It also allows moisture from riding under the hot sun to evaporate off completely rather than getting trapped inside where mold might start growing! If needed, apply grip tape wax once dry.
4. Avoid Extreme Weather
Do not ride your skateboard in extreme weather conditions. Riding in the rain or snow can cause problems with balance and make it difficult to maintain a smooth surface when riding over cracks, pebbles, gravel, etc.
It is also important that you do not carry your board around exposed to hot sun rays for long periods of time. This causes the wood to warp and can be very damaging in the long run.
5. Replace and Clean your Grip Tape
If you maintain your skateboard by keeping it clean, dry, and waxing the grip tape regularly, then there is no reason that you should not replace the grip tape every so often.
While most brands of grip tapes are tear-resistant to some degree, they can wear out if enough pressure is applied over time (such as during hard cornering). Once worn down significantly or ripped off completely, it’s time for a new one!
6. Avoid Riding on Rough Surfaces
Unfortunately with concrete surfaces everywhere today, riding on these types of surfaces will cause significant damage to both the board itself and any bearings installed in it. This includes cracks around manhole covers where steel cables may be embedded underneath them. If possible avoid using your Skateboard on these surfaces.
7. Replace Bushings after they break down
Bushings help maintain the bearings and wheels alignment. If they break down, it will be difficult to maintain a good balance on your skateboard.
To replace the bushings, you need to remove the trucks from the deck and then use a bushing tool to remove them from the truck’s baseplate. Bushings usually come in packs of eight, so make sure you have enough before starting this process!
8. Tighten your Trucks
If you feel like your skateboard is not maintaining a good balance while you’re riding it, then the trucks might be too loose. To fix this, tighten the screws on the truck using a screwdriver. Just make sure not to overtighten them or you might strip the threads!
9. Check Skateboard Hardware
Check the hardware for rust. Any kind of rust can cause the screws to become brittle and break easily. If you do find any rusty screws, remove them with a screwdriver and replace them with new ones from your hardware kit.
10. Replace parts when needed
Eventually, certain parts on your skateboard will need to be replaced. This includes bearings, wheels, and trucks. As these parts wear down over time, they will eventually stop functioning properly and need to be replaced.
It is important that you keep a spare set of each of these components with you in case one of them breaks while you’re out riding. That way you can continue skating without having to go back home!
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can maintain your skateboard and keep it in good condition for a long time. Just remember to be vigilant about cleaning and drying it after each use, as well as waxing the grip tape regularly!
And if something does happen to go wrong, don’t hesitate to replace worn-down parts or hardware. We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
